patch006 Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 Hi All I really enjoy playing my fretless, the thing is I much prefer the sound of it when it isn't plugged it to a amp I just don't think the pickups are doing it justice at all. I currently have basslines quarter pounders installed as a passive system, with two volumes and one tone pot. It sounds dull and lifeless, the bass is stringed with labella flats which I really like playing. Right the question is, should I change the pickups? make them active with a preamp? What are your favourite set ups on your fretless? [sharedmedia=core:attachments:75542] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo-London Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 Er why do you assume it's the PUs? It could be the amp, it could be crappy cables, it could be old strings. You'll have to eliminate all other possible causes first before you get the soldering iron out. A preamp isn't going to help per se, especially if you like the acoustic sound. Have you tried other basses? Have you found one you like? You might be better off selling your bass unmolested and buying a bass with an amplified sound you do like. Cheers Davo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patch006 Posted December 26, 2011 Author Share Posted December 26, 2011 i have a tc stacatto through some barefaced so i'm kind of guessing thats alright! i have been through about 15 basses in the last two years, this fretless is hand made custom that is a stayer. What i'm kind of asking is for advice on pickup configurations / pre amp that get the best from my bass. Which just enhances the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 Try borrowing an outboard pre & playing around with it a bit - MXR-80+ et al. If that works, you could install an internal pre. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 [quote name='patch006' timestamp='1324931855' post='1478622'] Hi All I really enjoy playing my fretless, the thing is I much prefer the sound of it when it isn't plugged it to a amp I just don't think the pickups are doing it justice at all. I currently have basslines quarter pounders installed as a passive system, with two volumes and one tone pot. It sounds dull and lifeless, the bass is stringed with labella flats which I really like playing. [/quote] When does it sound 'dull and lifeless', acoustically or amplified? Are you associating that with the La Bellas? If you are. but want to keep the feel of flats. then try some TI flats. I can't see that adding a preamp solves your problem - you already have a preamp with EQ on your amp, I presume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 Try putting round wounds on it. All the talk of fretboard damage caused by round wound strings is somewhat exaggerated. Adding a pre amp won't make the pickups active - they'll still be passive, just going through an active pre amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaker Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 As you like the sound of the bass acoustically, it reasonably follows that the strings aren't the issue. You need to find the setting on the amp that most accurately produces the acoustic tone (that you like) but louder. This is what I do with my Double Bass, and it may help (or not). It is cheap and does no harm. You will need a quiet room and a cup of tea. Flatten all the controls (so they are neither cutting or boosting) on the amp and bass, and turn the volume (and passive tone) up on the bass and down on the amp. All you should be able to hear is the 'acoustic' sound. Turn the volume on the amp up slightly so it matches the acoustic sound in level. Adjust the tone controls ( on both amp and bass) so the (quiet) amplified tone sound the same as the acoustic tone. Take your time and let your ears (not your eyes) be the judge. If you think it is right turn the volume up so the amplified tone is a little louder...you can turn it back down if you lose 'your tone'. I find after about 20 minutes my ability to discern diminishes, so make a note of the settings and stop the 'forensic' listening. Come back to it the day after and see if you are still happy with the result. Adjust to taste. If that doesn't work then new strings, pickups, preamps in a systematic manner might:) Shaker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrinkleygit Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I would agree with shaker's comments, the only thing I would add is to look at how close the pickup pole pieces are to the strings,my preference is beteween 3-5 mm when strings fretted at the end of the neck, if the gap is too wide this will give you weak sound,also speaker choice will have some effect on your amplified sound, mike b. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patch006 Posted December 27, 2011 Author Share Posted December 27, 2011 Thanks for all the comments guys, I will be ordering some TI flats. Shaker I will be trying that with all my basses, great advice cheers all merry new year and all that!!! Patch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I might be way off, but if it's the un-amplified sound you particularly like, would fitting a piezo transducer be the best bet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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